Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa on Tuesday after Calvin Bassey produced a late equaliser to snatch a share of the spoils.
South Africa took the lead earlier in the contest and looked to have the momentum for large periods as both sides traded chances in a tense, physical affair. The visitors — Nigeria’s Super Eagles — were unable to find a breakthrough for much of the game, with South Africa defending doggedly and threatening on the counter.
Calvin Bassey changed the script when he produced the decisive moment that levelled the match, restoring parity and ensuring Nigeria left with a point. The goal sparked celebrations from the Eagles’ camp and frustrated the home fans who had seen their team build control at different stages of the game.
Tactically the match was cagey: both coaches set up cautiously, prioritising structure and security in midfield, which limited clear-cut chances. Individual moments — set pieces, transitional bursts and defensive interventions — proved decisive in a game that lacked a dominant spell by either side.
The draw leaves both teams with work to do before their next fixtures as they look to build momentum. For Nigeria, Bassey’s intervention will be taken as a positive sign of resilience and an ability to fight back when behind.
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